New bid for leisure resort near Culloden Battlefield
CONTROVERSIAL plans for a leisure resort in an area known as the greater Culloden Battlefield have been resubmitted.
Inverness Paving wants to convert the former Treetops Stables at Faebuie, Culloden Moor, into a leisure destination comprising 13 new holiday lodges, an on-site café/retail facility and a new restaurant.
Previous plans were rejected by council officials in May last year because of its impact on the surrounding woodland and natural environment. The bid also attracted 87 objections, mainly due to the sensitivity of the site.
A report by HRI Munro Architecture submitted alongside the plans stated that the revised proposals specifically address reasons for refusal such as concerns over the impact on woodland and the landscape.
It added: “The application is significantly predicated on tourist/visitor growth in the Inverness and Highland areas.”
The new plans have already been met with opposition, including one detailed objection from Dr David Learmouth.
He described the plans as an “obtrusive holiday, leisure and hospitality development” with was “completely out of context with the rural and agricultural setting”.
